Clint Dempsey’s late strike was enough to sink the Reds, ending their 11 game unbeaten run in all competitions. Earlier, Jay Spearing saw red in what seemed a controversial decision by referee Kevin Friend.
The result leaves Kenny Dalglish’s men in 7th place, three points adrift from 6th place Newcastle and five points behind Chelsea in 4th.
Jay Spearing came in to replace injury stricken Lucas, while Luis Suarez was unsurprisingly called back into the team to partner Andy Carroll up front. However, last season’s hat trick hero in this fixture, Maxi Rodriguez, was left out.
Expectation for the visitors was high, recent back to back wins against Chelsea and a draw against table topping Manchester City suggested the in form Reds were going to steam roll a Fulham team with only one win in their last eight league games.
Craven Cottage, like other grounds this weekend, held a minute’s applause for football legend Gary Speed. The Kop chanting, “There’s only one Gary Speed” once again.
Early indications suggested Fulham were going to put up a tough test – the Cottagers coming close to opening the scoring early on. A perfectly weighted pass from Bryan Ruiz behind the Liverpool defence put Moussa Dembele through on goal. But the Belgian’s effort was blocked by the on coming Pepe Reina. The finish not matching the precise build up.
Moments later Liverpool created their first chance of the game through Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan set up Andy Carroll, whose shot on the stretch was smartly kept out by Mark Schwarzer. Charlie Adam then came close to an opener after his volley was again kept out by Schwarzer.
Fulham faded out the game after their bright opening. But in the 16th minute Dembele provided a reminder, after his stinging effort was parried away from Reina. The Spaniard was in the wars again, this time beating away Dempsey’s drive.
The tempo, fluidity and quality of action epitomised Premier League football. Both teams were unfortunate not to take the lead and the travelling Kop thought they had done as Jordan Henderson’s superb effort struck the post and trickled along the face of the goal. A let off for the hosts.
Luis Suarez then skipped passed the Fulham defence with ease and teed up Andy Carroll, but the number 9 couldn’t get clean contact on his effort.
On the opposite end of the field Reina was called upon again. The 29 year old equal Clint Dempsey’s 20-yard swerving strike.
Liverpool stepped quickly out the blocks for the second half. Schwarzer kept out Jose Enrique’s volley from a corner. The Australian denying the left back his first goal in a red shirt.
Tempers flew high when Dempsey squared up with Craig Bellamy. The USA international lucky to get away with a yellow card and the Welshman rather unlucky, as he played no part in retaliating to the gesture.
The Reds continued to assert pressure on Fulham’s goal. Charlie Adam led a four on three counter attack, but was hurled down inches outside the penalty area by Senderos, the offender receiving a yellow card. Rather wastefully, Craig Bellamy blasted the ball into the wall from the resulting free kick.
The Welshman then broke free of the Fulham defence, but his shot across the face of goal fizzed wide. The angle was always against the 32 year old.
There was an air of anxiety amongst the travelling supporters that the result was heading towards yet another draw, an all to familiar sight amongst recent results. This was then even more apparent as Suarez cleverly made a run in behind the Fulham defence and finished past Schwarzer only to be judged offside. Replays indicated that he was in fact onside, a tough decision on the number 7.
On the 72nd minute Jay Spearing saw red. Liverpool players greeted the decision with outrage as he had clearly won the ball but the challenge was deemed dangerous and was therefore sent off.
The sending off changed the game; Fulham players were finding much more space and as a result took the lead in the 85th minute. Ex-red Danny Murphy’s attempt at goal was spilled by Reina, allowing Dempsey to tap home from 5 yards.
An expert stop from Schwarzer late on was enough to keep out Downing for his first goal in a red shirt. The winger’s long-range effort was parried onto the post. The 13th time Liverpool had struck the post – the highest in the Premier League.
The hosts held on to earn a memorable victory, while Liverpool were left to rue missed opportunities and dubious decisions against them.
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